Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid was only briefly on the ice for Bruins practice today in Nashville, where Boston will take on the Predators tomorrow night.

Head coach Claude Julien told the media he didn’t like the way the rookie was responding to playing through some bruises. So he sent McQuaid off.

“He seems to be getting in the way of other teams’ shots all the time, which is a good thing for us,” the coach told the assembled media. “But I think today would’ve just made it worse. Those bruises, you’ve got to let them heal sometimes, especially when they’re around the foot area.”

As of this afternoon, Julien didn’t anticipate McQuaid’s bruises affecting his availability for Thursday night’s game.

I was never a big fan of him, but he definitely grew on me. He is maintaining his aggressiveness without being borderline goon/cheapshot artist. I just wish he has more puck handling skills or speed. He is probably the slowest defenseman on the team.

It might not be a bad idea to let McQuaid sit out a game or two for the bruises to heal so he will be healthy come play offs. I think the team is going to need his game and playing through unhealed bruises may not be what’s best.

Nice thing about McQuaid is that he is a team guy. So if he does end up getting benched in the near future, he will know it’s for the good of the team and will always respond well to it. Not that he deserves to be sat, or will be the one. Just saying that it won’t affect his game if he is the one. Kampfer seems more mentally fragile so Julien just has to be careful with who he is sitting and why. Maybe it’s in his best interest to just keep Ference sitting, even if he is ready. Or maybe these bruises are a good excuse for McQuaid to take a break, not because he will be a liability, but because everyone else is a little more healthy than he is. Either way, it’s nice to see that our choice of a 6th defensemen has become a win win situation.

I have to say he has grown on me a lot too. Not only is willing to step in front of any kind of shot he is willing to fight and step in and step up for his teammates. He really seems to grasp the concept of team.

I also think for a rookie he does a nice job of not panicking when the other team gets by him-he steps up and does what it takes to make the play. He definitely has earned a spot on the team and I hope his bruises heal quickly.

The more I watch and read about this guy, the more I respect and like him and what he does for this team. He has come a long way since his brief regular season and playoff appearances last year. Glad he’s on this team.